FAQs

Any restrictions on using the house?Al Palazz is a no-smoking, no-pets house. There are two flights of stairs in the house and three in the gardens where there are also some steep drops over walls. There are handrails and safety rails in the house but the gardens are not fenced in. Generally the property is not suitable for under-eights or people who are infirm.

Can we manage without a car?Yes - but public transport is limited in this rural area. We can give you details of local taxi, bus and train services if you do not want to drive while you're here. You can shop easily by walking down and back to Bagnone, but your choices for eating out will be more limited - eating at the farmhouse in the village is a delight and there are restaurants in town.

What happens if things go wrong?There is a comprehensive House Book at Al Palazz, and we are available by phone for any enquiries on your arrival and for any problems or emergencies that arise during your stay.

Do you need to speak Italian?The joy of Lunigiana is that it's real get-away-from-it-all Italy. It's intensely rural, with very little English spoken - through great warmth and goodwill from local people. Tourist Information Centres in the main towns have English. Most of the best local restaurants still cook what's fresh today, rather than having a menu. Sign language, our House Books and one of the house dictionaries will steer you through most situations, but a smattering of 'get by' Italian does help. There are a range of Learn Italian books, tapes and CDs in the house.

Why do you rent the house?People sometimes wonder why we rent our family home in Italy. Simple. We like it to be used and cared for throughout the year. Old houses need light and air - they need to breathe - and rental helps to maintain the house in tiptop condition.

What’s it like for walking?There are some wonderful hill walks, including parts of the ancient Via Francigena, for the reasonably fit. There are sticks, rucksacks, maps and compass at the house, but you need to bring walking shoes or boots, and be prepared for the maps to be indicative! We describe a dozen or so local walks in our House Books which give a good feel for the area.

Any other questions?We hope we've given give you a clear picture of the property and its surroundings. But if you have questions, please ask!